Dream start as hosts Russia run over Saudi Arabia

Denis Cheryshev said there were “no words to express” how he felt after he struck twice for Russia as the World Cup hosts thumped Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening match of the tournament in Moscow on Thursday.Iury Gazinsky scored after 12 minutes and Cheryshev added a second before the break after coming on as an injury replacement for Alan Dzagoev. Artem Dzuyba netted a third before terrific late efforts from Cheryshev and Aleksandr Golovin wrapped up Russia’s first win since October to launch their Group A campaign in style. “There are no words to express what I’m feeling right now,” said Cheryshev, who was recalled to the Russia squad in March after an absence of more than two years.“I could never have dreamed of anything like this. I felt very happy when I knew I would be here in the squad but I never dreamed of anything like this.”“I’m happy we’ve won but we shouldn’t stop there,” he added.Russia headed into the curtainraiser at the 80,000-capacity Luzhniki, the crucible of Russian and Soviet sport, without a victory in more than eight months and ranked a lowly 70th in the world.For Saudi Arabia it was a return to the global showpiece for the first time in 12 years, with their only previous finals wins at the 1994 World Cup.